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The Concept of Pancasila in Indian Thought
The field of falsehood, however, is not very narrow. It includes everything such as misuse of confidence and cowardice. Calumny, flattery, perjury, etc., are all different forms. of lying. Besides, these invention of evil reports and repeating them is another form of lying which has been condemned in Buddhism.
Abusive language is also considered a form of lying. Apparently, an abuse means uttering of words which are not factual and, at the same time, they hurt the person for whom they are spoken. It is obviously lying. It is said "the fool who is angered and thinks to triumph by the use of abusive language is always vanquished by him whose words are patient." "From evil and abusive words, and an over-bearing and insulting disposition towards others hatred and resentment grow.... The future of a man depends upon his words and therefore from evil words comes self-destruction."2
Transgressions and Punishments
The importance of it can further be reaffirmed by a discussion on violations or transgressions of this precept by the monks and punishment inflicted on them as discussed in the Vinaya and the Pātimokkha,
Falsehood according to Vinaya consists not only of simple, deliberate lies and use of abusive language etc. but of many things more. For example, the severer types of falsehoods consist of condemning and ridiculing the Dhamma or the metaphysical truth as preached by Buddha, talking lightly of Buddha and Samgha, etc., or showing disrespect to the doctrine or Dhamma, or pretending to have spiritual powers which one does not actually possess, or falsely accusing a monk of a major offence. However, in the Vinaya all major and minor offences are found regarding the violation of mộşāvādavirati.
1. 2.
Essence of Buddhism--P. L. Narasu, p. 70. Ibid.
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